Featured Stories

STEM-related job opportunities are increasing nationwide. This summer, local children will have the chance to learn new skills in the arenas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at a new Tampa day camp.

From Seattle to Washington D.C., forgotten alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly spaces. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages, and becoming havens for pedestrians, public art and small businesses.

Serial entrepreneur Joy Randels brings her expertise to Tampa Bay area community events from Startup Weekend to Ignite Tampa Bay. As chapter director of Startup Grind Tampa Bay, she aims to help local entrepreneurs make meaningful connections.

Tampa Bay's growing startup community is key to Florida's emergence as a robust economy driven by a healthy mix of industry, traditional businesses and entrepreneurs. Join 83 Degrees Media's "Not Your Average Speakers'' on May 13 to learn and talk more about what's new and what's next for local startups.

A love of African culture led Sita Monti to establish LivAfrika, the first Fair Trade Federation certified retail business in Tampa. She sells authentic, handcrafted African jewelry and other items at the South Tampa shop.

Five new residential towers will add 1,500 apartments in Downtown Tampa in the next two to three years, creating the synergy necessary to attract investors eager to help develop a vibrant urban scene that attracts young professionals, global travelers and empty-nesters.

Following a national trend in cities, a new space in the historic Downtown Tampa public library reinvents itself for the modern tech-driven world to better serve local entrepreneurs, families and makers.

Issue Media Group publications such as Yonge Street in Toronto, High Ground in Memphis, Model D in Detroit and 83 Degrees in Tampa Bay cover "what's next" for urban centers. In this recurring feature, we highlight the top stories in urban innovation from all across our national network.

Bollywood arrives in Tampa in late April. BLUE Ocean gets here in November. But what will it take beyond global film festivals to become the next film and digital media production destination? Read how Tampa Hillsborough Film Commissioner Dale Gordon sees the challenges and opportunities.

Volunteers with the Current of Tampa Bay's Laundry Project visit laundromats around Florida handing out quarters to more than 1,200 low-income families otherwise spending a healthy chunk of their wages doing more than 12,000 loads of laundry in the past year.

Transforming the long vacant, historic Kress Building on North Franklin Street into a vibrant urban gathering place complete with public marketplace, homes and offices is a key part of the vision for downtown Tampa's future.

The City of Memphis is on the rise thanks to a growing startup community, investments in bike lanes, a burgeoning arts district and people moving back to the city. Through it all, the city has listened to its residents and embraced 'lean urbanism.'

St. Petersburg's Central Arts District adds another star to its growing collection of indie artist shops, cafes, clubs and outdoor murals. An overflow crowd turns out for the grand opening of Local Longboards on Central Avenue, a cool new shop featuring handcrafted skateboards.